COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 210, 15 August 1884, Page 2

COOK COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held last night. Present Messrs W. K. Chambers (Chairman), Johnson, Milner, Gannon, Westrup, and Ferris. Before proceeding with the business the Chairman asked whether they should adjourn until after the public meeting, which was to be held that night, and to which he had been invited. It was argued that the Chairman could leave to attend the meeting, and that the business should go on. The Chairman then retired and Councillor Ferris was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The correspondence was now read Extension of Time. From D. McCarty asking for extension of time to 31st instant, as the weather had been bad. The Engineer stated that the contract ought to have been finished on July 31. The work was not being done satisfac* torily. The price for which it was taken was half his (Engineer’s) estimate. Ho admitted that the contractor had a great deal to contend with. Extension of time was granted— From Mr. M. Boland applying for extension of one month on his contract (Waimata road) on account of prolonged bad weather. The Engineer on being asked said he was averse to extension of time. There was no doubt he had done his best to push on the work, having 15 men employed. On the motion of Cr. Johnson, seconded by Cr. Westrup, extension was granted. Kaiteratahi Ferry. From Gisborne Riding Licensing Committee, requesting the Council to reconsider their determination re the withdrawal of subsidy from Kaiteratahi ferry, as the service was of great convenience to the public.— The Chairman (Cr. Chambers who had returned and resumed the chair) said that the matter had come before them twice previously.—Cr. Ferris advocated that a subsidy be granted for the service as he thought it very necessary. To test the feeling of the meeting he would propose that the ferry be subsidized to the extent of £3O per year.— Cr. Westrup seconded, as he thought the ferry needed.—Cr. Johnson opposed, as he thought it was very seldom that the river was impassable, and there was not traffic enough. —Cr. Milner proposed as an amendment that the subsidy be £ls.—The Chairman endorsed what Cr. Johnson said. He thought that if a subsidy was granted here they should establish others at the two other crossings.— Crs. Ferris and Westrup accepted the amendment. —After a long discussion it was ruled that the matter could not be dispossd of without giving due notice of motion.—Cr. Ferris tabled a notice of motion on the subject, the subsidy to be £l5.

Hosptital Subsidy. From Secretary I’overty Bay Hospital, requesting payment of annual grant of £SO, which sum was voted as an annual grant to

Hospital.—Cr. Johnson moved that the sum of £25 be granted this year.—Cr. Westrup seconded.—Carried. Gihborke-Ormond Tram Link,

From Mr. D. Malone slating that he was prepared to make an offer to relay the tram linet which was in a bad state of repair, and give a price per cubic yard at which he would supply gravel to the Council.—The Engineer said the tram was in bad repair, and would advise that the line should be relaid by contract. It would be in every way an advantage to convey the metal required on the main road. The sooner the Council entertain a proposal similar to Malone’s the better.— Cr. Ferris had thought of this matter for a long time. There was no doubt the work of relaying and supply of metal would be done cheaper if the contractor had the use of the line for a period of say three years. The matter required consideration, and he was thankful to Mr. Malone for bringing it forward.—Cr. Westrup scarcely thought, as the Council would go out of office in November next, that they could accept a three years’ contract.—Cr. Gannon must say that he quite agreed with Cr. Westrup. The Council having only three months’ existence could scarcely give a three years’ contract. It Would be better for the new Council to discuss this in November next.—Cr. Johnson did not think it very much mattered whether it was done by the present or the next Council, as he presumed that they had the ratepayers interest at heart as much as their successors would have. However, as there had been no definite offer they could not discuss it.—Cr. Westrup proposed that tenders be called for the supply for two years of gravel; the tenders to be received at the first meeting of the newly - elected Council. — Cr. Johnson seconded the motion, which was put and carried. Awanui Township. From the Crown Land’s Office, Auckland, informing the Council that the town and suburban lands at Awanui would be offered for sale by public auction at Gisborne, early in September next. Constitution of new Riding. The standing orders were suspended in order to consider petition presented by Mr. Gray, praying that a portion of Waimata. Tologa, and Waikohu ridings be constituted a new road district, and a separate riding of the County.—Cr. Gannon proposed that the Council take all the necessary steps to have the prayer of the petition granted. The Whataupoko settlers should now have some control of their local affairs, and not be under the rule of the Turanganui Road Board.—Cr. Johnson seconded the motion, which was carried.—Mr. Grey suggested that the name should be “ Waimata Riding, and Road District, which was approved of. East Coast Road. From E. H. Henderson, Hick’s Bay, calling attention to the impassable state of the road in the locality of Kautuku Hill.—Cr. Gannon said that it was a dangerous part of the road, and he would move that the work be done.—Cr. Milner asked that this matter be discussed until his motion came on, when a sum of £4O was voted for immediate expenditure. Remission of Rates. From Andrew Reeves directing notice of Councillors to the injustice of being demanded to pay the whole of the rates on two blocks of land called Koura-a-teniohi, as he only held a small interest in the land.—The Chairman thought they had noj'power to give him relief as the rate had been struck. It was agreed to reply to this effect. Gisborne-Wairoa Road.

From Chairman Wairoa County, drawing attention to the dangerous state of the road between Te Reinga and the Waihau Lakes.— It was decided to refer the matter to Mr. Locke, M.H.R., for the district. [The continuation of the report is held over until next issue.]